Energy amplifier apparatus

ABSTRACT

Energy amplifier apparatus includes a pair of vertically extending concentric cylinders, with air entrained in water flowing downwardly through .Iadd.a conduit within .Iaddend.the inner cylinder to a separator where the air is separated from the water. The falling water compresses the entrained air and a separator in the inner cylinder is used to separate the compressed air from the water, with the water flowing upwardly between the inner and outer cylinders and the compressed air flowing upwardly in a separate conduit from .[.the upper portion of.]. the inner cylinder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to energy amplifying apparatus, and moreparticularly, to apparatus for utilizing the force of gravity tocompress air entrained in falling water and for separating thecompressed air from the water for utilization of the compressed air.

2. Description of the Prior Art

During the latter part of the nineteenth century and the first part ofthe twentieth century, hydraulic air compressors were used as acomparatively simple solution for utilizing water power to compress airwhen compressed air in large quantities was required and where water wasavailable. However, in the twentieth century, the availability of cheapfossil fuels, such as gasoline .[.and.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.diesel fuel,and electricity, made the relatively cumbersome apparatus and relativelyhigh initial installation costs of such hydraulic air compressorsimpractical. A hydraulic compressor uses falling water for compressingair without the use of mechanical moving parts. Air is entrained bywater falling through a venturi. As the water and entrained air falls,the air entrained in the water is compressed in accordance with thedistance that the entrained air and water falls. At the bottom of theair compressor, the compressed air is separated from the water and thenconducted or piped to a location at which the compressed air is to beused.

Two factors are of relative importance in analyzing hydrauliccompressors. One factor is the eductor which is used to entrain air infalling water, and the second factor is the total height or depth thatthe water falls. The compression of the air is accomplished by theweight of the falling water, and the extent of the compression isaccordingly a factor of the height of the water column above theseparator where the air is separated from the water. Thus theentrainment of the air in terms of cubic feet of air per gallon of waterbecomes meaningful when a time factor or scale is considered. The moreair per gallon of water per minute .[.than.]. .Iadd.that .Iaddend.aneductor can entrain, the more efficient the hydraulic compressor orenergy amplifier will be. However, the ability of a separator toseparate the air from the water is a third factor which must be takeninto consideration in terms of size. The smaller the overall size of theapparatus, and the greater the output in terms of compressed air,obviously the greater the likelihood of commercial usage. Thus arelatively small diameter separator is highly desirable.

One of the drawbacks of prior art hydraulic compressors or energyamplifiers has been the relatively large quantity of water required andthe relatively large area or volume required as a base installation forthe apparatus. Another drawback of the prior art is the difficulty inseparating the compressed air from the water, and the cumbersomeapparatus required for separation.

Another drawback of the prior art comprises friction losses by thefalling water in metal pipe which substantially reduces efficiency.

The apparatus of the present invention utilizes relatively small area orvolume for both the entrainment of the air and for the separation of theair from water to provide an efficiency substantially improved over theprior art.

For an in-depth study of the history and theory of hydraulic aircompressors, see Information Circular 7683, Bureau of Mines, U.S.Department of Interior, May 1954, entitled "Hydraulic Air Compressors."The circular is authored by Leroy E. Schulze.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the present invention comprises an energy amplifierapparatus including a single elongated cylinder for hydraulicallycompressing air using .[.multi-stage.]. air entrainment and.[.multi-stage.]. air-water .[.separators.]. .Iadd.separator.Iaddend.coaxially disposed within the single cylinder.

Among the objects of the present invention are the following:

to provide new and useful energy amplifier apparatus;

to provide new and useful apparatus for hydraulically compressing air;

to provide for the .[.multi-stage.]. entrainment of air in a singlecylinder;

to provide new and useful .[.multi-stage.]. air-water separatorapparatus;

to provide new and useful energy amplifier apparatus in a singlecylindrical column; and

to provide new and useful apparatus for amplifying the energy of fallingwater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a vertical view in partial section of the apparatus of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2.[., including FIGS. 2a and 2b,.]. is an enlarged view in partialsection of the apparatus of FIG. 1. .[.FIG. 2b comprises a continuationof FIG. 2a..].

FIG. 3 is a view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 taken generally along line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus ofFIG. .[.2a.]. .Iadd.2 .Iaddend.taken generally along line 4--4 of FIG..[.2a.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend..

FIG. 5 is a view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus ofFIG. .[.2a.]. .Iadd.2 .Iaddend.taken generally along line 5--5 of FIG..[.2a.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend..

.[.FIG. 6 is a view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus ofFIG. 2b taken generally along line 6--6 of FIG. 2b..].

.[.FIG. 7 is a view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus ofFIG. 2b taken generally along line 7--7 of FIG. 2b..].

FIG. .[.8.]. .Iadd.6 .Iaddend.is a view in partial section of a portionof the apparatus of FIG. .[.2b.]. .Iadd.2 .Iaddend.taken generally alongline .[.8--8.]. .Iadd.6--6 .Iaddend.of FIG. .[.2b.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend..

.[.FIG. 9 is a view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus ofFIG. 2b taken generally along line 9--9 of FIG. 2b..].

FIG. .[.10.]. .Iadd.7 .Iaddend.is a perspective view of a separator coneemployed in the apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a view in partial section of energy amplifier apparatus 10 ofthe present invention. The view is broken for convenience due to theextended overall length of the apparatus. The energy amplifier apparatus10 includes an outer cylinder or cylindrical housing 12 which extendsinto ground 2, such as in a well, or the like. The overall length of thecylinder 12 may be any appropriate length, depending on the availablespace and resources and the air pressure desired. Typically, the overalllength of the cylinder 12 will be from about one hundred (100) feet toabout two hundred fifty-four (254) feet (30.5-77.5 meters). With theapparatus of the present invention, this yields compressed air fromforty-three (43) P.S.I. to about one hundred ten (110) P.S.I., which issufficient air pressure for air turbines of contemporary design. Greaterlengths may be used to obtain higher pressures for applicationsrequiring higher pressures, such as air lift pumps of water, to obtaindeeper submergence ratios, etc. The cylinder 12 is open at the top butis closed at the bottom by a lower cylinder head or cylinder bottom 14,which comprises a lower end wall for the outer cylinder.

Within the outer cylinder 12 is an inner cylinder 20. Between the innercylinder and outer cylinder is a space 18. The purpose of the space 18will be discussed in detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 2a and 2b.The inner cylinder 20 is preferably disposed at the lower portion of theouter cylinder 12, adjacent the bottom 14 of the outer cylinder 12.

Extending upwardly from the inner cylinder 20 are .[.four.]. .Iadd.two.Iaddend.pipes, including .[.three.]. down .[.pipes.]. .Iadd.pipe.Iaddend.72.[., 102, and 132.]., and a compressed air pipe 150. The down.[.pipes.]. .Iadd.pipe .Iaddend.72.[., 102, and 132 carry.]..Iadd.carries .Iaddend.water and entrained air downwardly to the innercylinder 20, and to .[.separators.]. .Iadd.a separator .Iaddend.withinthe inner cylinder 20, and the compressed air pipe 150 carriescompressed air from the inner cylinder 20 upwardly to appropriatestorage tanks or to equipment, such as an air turbine, and the like,which will utilize the energy of the compressed air.

While various sizes of inner and outer cylinders may be used, nominallythe diameter of the outer cylinder 12 may be about thirty inches, whilethe nominal diameter of the inner cylinder 20 may be about twenty-sixinches. The diameter of the .[.three.]. down .[.pipes.]. .Iadd.pipe.Iaddend.for transmitting water and entrained air to the.[.separators.]. .Iadd.separator .Iaddend.within the inner cylinder 20is about eight inches. The overall length or height of the outercylinder 12 may be as desired, but preferably from about one hundred tothree hundred feet, as discussed above, for an air turbine application.

FIG. 2 comprises an enlarged view in partial section of the apparatus ofFIG. 1, with portions broken away, to illustrate the .[.eductors.]..Iadd.eductor .Iaddend.and the .[.separators.]. .Iadd.separator.Iaddend.within the inner cylinder 20. .[.FIG. 2 is broken down orseparated into FIGS. 2a and 2b, with FIG. 2a comprising the upperportion of the apparatus 10, and FIG. 2b comprising a continuation ofFIG. 2a from the bottom or lower portion of FIG. 2a. Accordingly,reference will be made to both FIGS. 2a and 2b in the followingdiscussion..].

The energy amplifier apparatus 10 of the present invention comprises theouter cylinder 12 extending downwardly into the ground 2 a finitedistance, as previously discussed. The outer cylinder 12 extendsupwardly out of the ground a short distance, for convenience of workingwith the apparatus and also for convenience of draining water from theouter cylinder 12 through an aperture 16. The flow of the water will bediscussed in detail below.

Extending upwardly from the interior of the outer cylinder 12 .[.arethree eductors.]. .Iadd.is eductor .Iaddend.160.[., 180, and 190.].. The.[.eductors are.]. .Iadd.eductor is .Iaddend.secured to the .[.three.].down .[.pipes, respectively down pipes 102,.]. .Iadd.pipe.Iaddend.72.[., and 132.].. The purpose of the .[.eductors.]..Iadd.eductor .Iaddend.is to entrain air within a flow of water. Thewater, with the air entrained, then flows downwardly by gravity throughthe down .[.pipes.]. .Iadd.pipe .Iaddend.to a .[.multi-stage.].separator portion 20 of the apparatus 10. The separator portion 20comprises an inner cylinder, within which .[.are three separators.]..Iadd.is the separator.Iaddend.. At the top of the separator.Iadd.portion .Iaddend.20 is an air cavity 32 which receives compressedair from .[.each of.]. the .[.three separators.]..Iadd.separator.Iaddend.. Compressed air from the air cavity 32 flowsupwardly in the pipe 150.

Above the top of the outer cylinder 12 the pipe 150 is secured to anelbow 152. The elbow 152 includes a pressure relief valve 154.[.limits.]. to limit the maximum pressure of the compressed air flowingupwardly in the pipe 150. Another pipe 156 is also secured to the elbow152, and a valve 158 is shown in pipe or compression line 156.Compressed air then flows through the pipe 156 and through the valve 158to a storage tank or to an appropriate location for use of thecompressed air with machinery, or the like.

The eductor 160, which is secured to down pipe .[.102.]..Iadd.72.Iaddend., is shown in partial section. The eductor 160 includesa water inlet 162 which is appropriately secured to a source of water,such as to a pipe connected to a reservoir and a pump. The water flowingout of the aperture 16 of the outer cylinder 12 may flow to a reservoir,and may .Iadd.in .Iaddend.turn .[.in.]. be pumped to the inlet of the.[.eductors 160, 180, and 190.]. .Iadd.eductor.Iaddend.. The water isthen reused by recirculating it back to the .[.eductors.]..Iadd.eductor.Iaddend..

From the inlet 162, water under pressure flows into and through aconverging nozzle 164 and into a vacuum chamber 168. The vacuum chamber168 is connected to an air inlet 166. The water from the nozzle 164flows through the vacuum chamber 168 and into a venturi 170. The flow ofthe water from the nozzle 164 into the venturi 170 results in a drop inthe air pressure in the vacuum chamber 168 which draws air through theair inlet 166. Th air mixes with the water in the vacuum chamber 168 andin the venturi 170. The air is thus entrained into the water and thecombination air and water then flows through a diverging cone 172 of theeductor into the down pipe .[.102.]. .Iadd.72.Iaddend..

A single nozzle eductor or water jet exhauster is illustrated in FIG..[.2a.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend., but preferably, for more efficiency,multi-nozzle water jet exhausters or eductors may be used with apparatusof the present invention to maximize the amount of air entrained in thewater. Thus, by enlarging the vacuum chamber 168 and the venturi, and byincreasing the number of nozzles through which the water flows into theventuri area of the eductor, a greater efficiency may be obtained byentraining more air per volume of water flowing through the eductor thanis possible with a single nozzle eductor.[., such as the illustratedeductors 160, 180, and 190.].. Such multi-nozzle water jet exhaustersare state of the art apparatus for various applications.

.[.The eductors 180 and 190 are substantially identical to the eductor160. All three of the eductors are thus open to the intake of air andeach eductor is connected to a source of water..]. The flow of the waterfrom a nozzle or nozzles into the venturi results in low pressuredeveloping which causes a suction through an air inlet, such as airinlet 166. The in-flowing air is mixed with the water in the venturi.[.sections.]. .Iadd.section .Iaddend.of the .[.eductors.]..Iadd.eductor.Iaddend.. The water, with the air entrained, then flowsthrough .[.each of.]. the down .[.pipes.]. .Iadd.pipe .Iaddend.72.[.,102, and 132.].. From the .[.eductors.]. .Iadd.eductor.Iaddend., thewater and entrained air flows downwardly through the down .[.pipes.]..Iadd.pipe .Iaddend.under the force of gravity. The falling watercompresses the entrained air as the water and air move downwardly in the.[.pipes.]. .Iadd.pipe.Iaddend.. The amount or degree of compressionvaries according to the length of the column of water and accordinglywith the overall length of the pipe .[.or pipes.]. between the.[.eductors.]. .Iadd.eductor .Iaddend.and the separator .[.orseparators.].. The longer the pipe, or the length of fall of the air andwater, the greater the compression of the entrained air.

The air and water is separated at the bottom or lower portion of theouter cylinder 12 by .[.separators.]. .Iadd.a separator .Iaddend.withinthe inner cylinder 20. The inner cylinder 20 includes a cylinder wall 22which is closed at its top by a cylinder head 24 and at its lower end bya bottom 26. Spaced apart downwardly from the cylinder head or top 24 isa bulkhead 30 which is sealingly secured to the cylinder wall 22. Withinthe cylinder 20 and between the cylinder head 24 and the bulkhead 30 isthe air cavity 32. The compressed air pipe 150 extends through thecylinder head 24 and communicates with the air cavity 32.

The .[.three.]. down .[.pipes 102,.]. .Iadd.pipe .Iaddend.72.[., and 132extend.]. .Iadd.extends .Iaddend.through both the top cylinder head 24and the bulkhead 30. The .[.pipes are.]. .Iadd.pipe is.Iaddend.appropriately sealingly secured to the heads.

FIG. 3 is a view in partial section of the apparatus of the presentinvention taken generally along line 3--3 of FIG. 1. It comprises avertical view in partial section through the outer cylinder 12 above theupper wall or cylinder head 24 of the cylinder 20. The .[.three.]. down.[.pipes.]. .Iadd.pipe .Iaddend.72.[., 102, and 132 are.]. .Iadd.is.Iaddend.shown .[.spaced apart from each other and.]. disposedsymmetrically with respect to the cylinder 20, and with respect to itscylinder head 24. The compressed air pipe 150 is also shown with respectto the cylinder 20 and its cylinder head 24.

The inner cylinder 20 includes a pair of outer tubes 40 and 44 securedto the outer periphery of the cylinder 20 and disposed diametricallyapart from each other across the cylinder. The tubes 40 and 44 are shownmore clearly in .[.FIGS. 2a and 2b.]. .Iadd.FIG. 2.Iaddend..

The down pipe 72 includes an inwardly extending portion 74 which extendsto the center of the cylinder 20 above the cylinder head 24. Theinwardly extending portion 74 terminates in the center of the head 24,coaxially with respect to the cylinder 20, and concentric with respectto the head 24. The relationship between the down pipe 72, its inwardlyextending portion 74, and a centrally or coaxially disposed lowerportion 76 is further illustrated in FIG. .[.2a.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend.. Thecentrally disposed portion 76 of the down pipe 72 extends through boththe cylinder head 24 and the bulkhead 30 coaxially with respect to theinner cylinder 20 and terminates in a lower portion 78 above a separator60.

FIG. 4 is a view in partial section of the apparatus of FIG. .[.2a.]..Iadd.2 .Iaddend.taken generally along line 4--4 of FIG. .[.2a.]..Iadd.2.Iaddend.. The .[.Figure.]. .Iadd.figure .Iaddend.illustrates theinterior of the air cavity 32 of the inner cylinder 20 above thebulkhead 30. The central portion of the down pipe 76 is locatedcoaxially within the inner cylinder 20, and concentrically with respectto the bulkhead 30. .[.The down pipes 102 and 132 continue downwardly ina straight line, as they are shown in FIG. 2a and in FIG. 3..]. The airtransport tubes 40 and 44 are also shown in FIG. 4 as sealingly securedto the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 20.

Returning again to .[.FIGS. 2a and 2b.]. .Iadd.FIG. 2.Iaddend., it willbe noted that spaced apart below the bulkhead 30 is .[.another bulkhead50.]. .Iadd.bottom 26.Iaddend.. A chamber 52 is defined between the.[.bulkheads.]. .Iadd.bulkhead .Iaddend.30 and .[.50.]. .Iadd.bottom26.Iaddend.. The chamber 52 comprises the .[.first stage.]. separatorfor the energy amplifier apparatus 10.

About one-fourth of the way downwardly between the bulkhead 30 and the.[.bulkhead 50.]. .Iadd.bottom 26 .Iaddend.is a separator cone 60. Theseparator cone 60 is of a generally circular configuration, slightlyless in overall diameter than the interior diameter of the innercylinder 20. The cone 60 is concentrically disposed within the innercylinder 20 and is secured to the interior of the cylinder walls 22 by aplurality of gussets or braces 68. The cone 60 includes a central apex62 and a generally flat outer portion 64. Between the apex 62 and theflat portion 64 is a concavely curved portion 63. The curved portion 63blends into the generally flat portion 64, and the flat portion 64terminates at an outer edge 66. A relatively narrow space exists betweenthe outer edge 66 of the separator cone 60 and the interior of the wall22 of the cylinder 20. The apex 62 is centrally disposed with respect tothe cone 60, and accordingly with respect also to the cylinder wall 22of the cylinder 20.

Above the cone 60 is the down pipe 72. As best seen in FIG. 3, the downpipe 72.[., along with the down pipes 102 and 32, are.]. .Iadd.is.Iaddend.spaced apart relatively symmetrically with respect to the innercylinder 20 and also with respect to the outer cylinder or casing 12.However, as may be seen in FIG. .[.2a.]. .Iadd.2 .Iaddend.and also inFIGS. 3 and 4, the down pipe 72 includes an inwardly extending portion74 and a central portion 76. That is, the down pipe 72 includes aportion 74 which extends downwardly inwardly to where it transitions toa central portion 76 just above the cylinder head 24 of the cylinder 20.The central portion 76 then extends downwardly through the cylinder head24, through the bulkhead 30, and into the upper portion of the chamber52, substantially coaxially with the cylinder 20 and also with theseparator cone 60. The central portion 76 of the down pipe 72 terminatesin a bottom 78 which is disposed at about the same level as the apex 62of the separator cone 60.

Water flowing into the eductor .[.180.]. .Iadd.160 .Iaddend.entrainsair, and the air and water together flow downwardly through the pipe 72.As the air and water fall in the pipe, the entrained or trapped air iscompressed in a relationship which varies according to the length of thepipe 72. For separation purposes, the down pipe 72 curves inwardly justbefore reaching the cylinder 20 so that the bottom portion 78 of thetube 72 will be coaxially disposed in the chamber 52 of the cylinder 20and over the apex 62 of the cone 60. The water and entrained airaccordingly flow through the pipe 72 and into the separator chamber 52and onto the cone 60.

The cone 60 causes the water to move outwardly from its originaldownward flow. As the water moves outwardly from the curved portion 63of the cone to the flat portion 64, there is a change in the directionof the flow of the water and entrained and compressed air in the amountof about ninety degrees. During the change of direction, andparticularly on the generally outwardly flow of the air and water on theflat portion 64 of the cone, a separation between the air and watertakes place. The entrained and compressed air separates from the waterand the compressed air flows upwardly (rises) toward the top portion ofthe chamber 52, while the water flows downwardly, through the spacebetween the outer edge 66 of the cone and the walls 22 of the cylinder,and downwardly into the lower portion of the chamber 52.

The compressed air, rising in the chamber 52, flows outwardly through apair of apertures 54 and 56 into the air transport tubes 40 and 44,respectively. The compressed air continues to rise in the chambers orair transport cavities 42 and 46 of the air tubes 40 and 44,respectively. From the air tubes 40 and 44 the air flows inwardly intothe air cavity 32 through a pair of apertures 34 and 36 from the airtubes 40 and 44, respectively. The apertures 34 and 36 extend throughthe cylinder walls 22 of the cylinder 20 adjacent the tops of the airtransport tubes to provide communication between the air cavity 32 andthe air chambers 42 and 46 of the air tubes 40 and 44, respectively.

Most of the entrained air is separated from the water by the separator60 between the end or bottom 78 of the down pipe 72 and the outer edge66 of the air separator cone 60. With respect to the cone 60, most ofthe air is separated as the water flows substantially horizontally overthe flat portion 64 of the air separator cone 60. However, some of theentrained air flows over the outer edge 66 and downwardly with the flowof water into the lower portion of the chamber 52. The water with aresidue of the entrained air, flows between the outer edge 66 of thecone 60 and the inner wall 22 of the cylinder 20. The water flowsdownwardly in the chamber 52 to the .[.bulkhead 50.]. .Iadd.bottom26.Iaddend., which defines or comprises the bottom of the chamber 52..[.The bulkhead 50 also defines the top of a second separator chamber 82disposed beneath the first separator chamber 52..].

A plurality of apertures .[.58.]. .Iadd.118 .Iaddend.extend through thecylinder wall 22 above the .[.bulkhead 50.]. .Iadd.bottom 26.Iaddend.,as shown in FIG. .[.2b.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend., to provide communicationbetween the chamber 52 and the space 18 (see FIGS. 1 and .[.2a.]..Iadd.2.Iaddend.) between the inner cylinder 20 and the outer cylinder12. Between the separator cone and the .[.bulkhead 50.]. .Iadd.bottom26.Iaddend., substantially all the rest of the entrained air, notseparated on the top of the separator cone 60, is separated from thewater before the water flows out of the chamber 52 through the apertures.[.58.]. .Iadd.118.Iaddend..

The air thus separated rises in the chamber 52 to the underside of theseparator cone 60, which comprises a dome 65. Adjacent the apex 62, atube 70 extends through and is secured to the separator 60. The top ofthe tube 70 extends slightly above the bottom 78 of the down pipe 72.The purpose of the tube 70 is simply to bleed away the air trappedbeneath the dome 65 of the separator cone 60. The air is thus conveyedinto the upper portion of the chamber 52 where the air mixes with theair separated by the separator cone 60. Accordingly, substantially allof the entrained air, under pressure, is separated from the water andflows out of the chamber 52, into the transport tubes 40 and 44, andupwardly into the air cavity 32.

From the air cavity 32, the compressed air flows upwardly through thecompressed air pipe 150 which conveys the air for utilization at the topof the apparatus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and .[.2a.]..Iadd.2.Iaddend..

At the top of the air transport pipe 150 is an elbow 152 to which isconnected another pipe 156. A pressure relief valve 154 is alsoconnected to the elbow 152 for the purpose of limiting the pressure ofthe compressed air. From the pipe 156, the air flows through a valve 158for distribution or transport, as desired.

.[.The down pipes 102 and 132 extend downwardly through the chamber 52.As with the down pipe 72, and particularly the central portion 76 of thedown pipe 72, the down pipes 102 and 132 are sealingly secured to thecylinder head 24, and the bulkhead 30 and also to the separator cone 60through which the down pipes 102 and 132 extend. Obviously, to preventloss of efficiency due to escape of air and water, the down pipes mustbe sealingly secured to the respective bulkheads and cones through whichthey extend..].

.[.Within the chamber 52, the down pipe 102 includes an inwardly anddownwardly extending portion 104. Secured to the inwardly and downwardlyextending portion 104 of the down pipe 102 is a central portion 106. Thepurpose of the inwardly extending portion 104 is simply to permit thedown pipe 102 to be centrally located with respect to the inner cylinder20 within the chamber 52. The inwardly extending portion 104, like theinwardly extending portion 74 of down pipe 72, is simply an intermediateportion between the central portion 106 and the main portion of the downpipe 102..].

.[.The central portion 106 of the down pipe 102 extends through thebulkhead 50 and it is sealingly secured thereto, as shown in FIG. 2b.The down pipe 132 also extends through the bulkhead 50 and is alsosealingly secured thereto. The down pipe 132 continues downwardlythrough a chamber 82 defined between the bulkhead 50 and a lowerbulkhead 80. The bulkhead 80 comprises the lower or bottom end wall of achamber 82 which extends between the bulkhead 50 and the bulkhead 80 andwithin the cylinder walls 22 of the inner cylinder 20. At the lowerportion of the chamber 82 is a plurality of apertures 88 which extendthrough the cylinder wall 22 to provide communication for the flow ofwater from the chamber 82 within the inner cylinder 20 to the chamber orspace 18 between the inner cylinder 20 and the outer cylinder 12..].

.[.The chamber 82 comprises a second stage separator, or a secondseparator, for the apparatus of the present invention. Within thechamber 82, substantially identical to the separator cone 60, is aseparator cone 90. The separator cone 90 includes a central apex 92, anda somewhat concavely curved portion 93 which extends downwardly andoutwardly from the apex 92. The curved portion 93 transitions to a flat,outwardly extending portion 94. The separator cone 90 terminates in anouter or peripheral edges 96. The outer or perpheral edge 96 is, likethe edge 66 of the separator cone 60, spaced inwardly, and slightlyapart, from the inner wall of the inner cylinder 20. Since the cone 90is substantially symmetrical in overall design, and is located coaxiallywith respect to the cylinder 20, there is a uniform distance between theinner wall 22 of the cylinder 20 and the outer edge or rim 96 of thecone 90. The separator cone 90 is secured to the cylinder wall 22 by aplurality of plates or gussets 98..].

.[.Beneath the separator cone 90, extending downwardly and outwardlyfrom beneath the apex 92, is a dome 95. A tube 100 providescommunication between the dome 95 and the upper portion of the chamber82 above the separator 90. The down pipe 106 terminates in a bottom 108slightly above, and substantially concentric with the apex 92 of theseparator cone 90..].

.[.An aperture 84 extends through the cylinder wall 22 below thebulkhead 50 to provide communication between the chamber 82 and thechamber or air transport cavity 42 of the air transport tube 40. Asecond aperture 86 extends through the cylinder wall 22 diametricallyopposite the aperture 84 to provide communication between the chamber 82and the air cavity 46 of the air transport tube 44..].

.[.The down pipe 132, as discussed above, extends through the bulkhead50, and it also extends through the cone 90. Beneath the cone 90, thedown pipe 132 includes an inwardly and downwardly extending portion 134which connects to a centrally disposed portion 136. The central portion136 extends downwardly coaxially with respect to the cylinder 22 throughthe lower bulkhead 80..].

.[.The action of the air and water flowing downwardly through the downpipe 102 and onto the separator cone 90 is substantially the same asdiscussed above with respect to the separator chamber 52 and theseparator cone 60. The water, with entrained air, flows downwardlythrough the pipe 106 and onto the separator cone 90. The water flowingoutwardly over the generally flat portion 94 of the cone, which issubstantially horizontal, allows the entrained air to separate from thewater. The separated and compressed air rises in the upper portion ofthe chamber 82 above the separator cone 90 and flows outwardly throughthe apertures 84 and 86 into the air transport cavities 42 and 46,respectively..].

.[.A portion of the entrained air does not separate from the waterbefore flowing between the edge or outer periphery 96 of the separatorcone 90 and the wall 22 of the cylinder 20. The compressed air thatremains entrained in the water then flows downwardly within the chamber82 beneath the separator cone 90 and separates out of the water beforethe water flows through the apertures 88 out of the chamber 82 and intothe chamber 18. The compressed air rises within the chamber 82 tocollect beneath the dome 95 of the separator cone 90. The air from thedome 95 then bleeds or flows through the tube 100 from beneath the dome95 of the cone 90 to the upper portion of the chamber 82 above the cone90 to join with the other air separated from the continual flow of waterover the cone 90..].

.[.Between the lower bulkhead 80 of the chamber 82 and the bottom 26 ofthe cylinder 20 is a third separator stage which includes a separatorchamber 112. Within the separator chamber 112 is a separator cone 120.The cone 120, like the cones 60 and 90, is generally circular inconfiguration, with a central apex 122 extending upwardly above agenerally flat outer planar portion 124. The cone includes a generallydownwardly and outwardly curved portion 123 between the apex 122 and theflat or planar portion 124. The planar portion 124 of the cone 120terminates in an outer peripheral edge 126 which is spaced slightlyinwardly from the inner portion of the cylinder wall 22..].

.[.The cone 12 is secured to the cylinder walls 22 by a plurality ofgussets or braces 128. The bottom of the cone 120, between the apex 122and the flat portion 124, defines a dome 125. A tube 130 extends throughthe cone 120 to provide communication between the dome 125 and the upperportion of the chamber 112 above the separator cone 120..].

.[.The bottom end of the central portion 136 of the down pipe 132terminates in a bottom portion 138 which is disposed substantiallyconcentrically to, and about even with, the apex 122 of the separator120..].

.[.At the lower portion of the chamber 112 is a plurality of apertures118. The apertures extend through the cylinder walls 22 to providecommunication between the lower portion of the chamber 112 and the space18. At the upper portion of the chamber 112, above the separator cone120 and adjacent the bulkhead 80, are a pair of apertures 114 and 116.The apertures 114 and 116 extend through the cylinder wall 22 to providecommunication between the upper portion of the chamber 112 and the airtransport cavities 42 and 46, respectively..].

.[.The action of the water and entrained air in the third separatorstage, defining the chamber 112, is substantially as has been discussedin detail above in conjunction with the first separator stage and thesecond separator stage, including the chamber 52 and its separator cone60 and the chamber 82 and its separator cone 90, respectively. Thus, theentrained air flows downwardly through the down pipe 132 and onto theseparator cone 120 through the bottom 138 of the center portion 136 ofthe down pipe or tube. As the water flows downwardly and outwardly,substantially horizontally, over the flat portion 124 of the separatorcone 120, the entrained and compressed air separates from the water andflows upwardly in the chamber 112. The water, with some air yetentrained, flows downwardly into the lower portion of the chamber 112between the outer periphery 126 of the separator cone 120 and theinterior of the cylinder wall 22. The air not separating from the waterabove the cone 120 separates from the air beneath the cone 120 in thechamber 112, and flows upwardly to be trapped against the dome 125 ofthe cone 120. The air flows out of the dome 125 through a tube 130 whichextends through the separator cone 120 adjacent the apex 138 andoutwardly with respect to the down pipe 136. The air from the upperportion of the chamber 112 then flows outwardly through the apertures114 and 116 into the air transport cavities 42 and 46, respectively..].

As discussed above, the air transport tubes 40 and 44 are sealinglysecured to the outer periphery of the cylinder wall 22 of the innercylinder 12, as shown in detail in FIGS. 3, 4, .Iadd.and .Iaddend.5.[.,6, 7, 8, and 9.].. The air transport cavities 42 and 44 communicate withthe separator .[.chambers.]. .Iadd.chamber .Iaddend.52.[., 82, and112.]. through the apertures 54, 56 of the chamber 52.[., apertures 84,86 of the chamber 82, and apertures 114 and 116 of the chamber 112.]..From the separator .[.chambers.]. .Iadd.chamber.Iaddend., the air flowsinto the chamber or air cavity 32 and thence upwardly through the pipe150. The water, minus the entrained air, flows outwardly from the.[.chambers.]. .Iadd.chamber .Iaddend.52.[., 82, and 112,.]. through theapertures .[.58, 88, and.]. 118.[., respectively,.]. into the space orchamber 18 between the outer cylinder 12 and the inner cylinder 20.

The substantially constant flow of the water through the down.[.pipes.]. .Iadd.pipe.Iaddend., through or from the .[.eductors.]..Iadd.eductor.Iaddend., provides a slightly larger head of downwardlymoving water than the upwardly flowing water, and the water accordinglyflows upwardly through the space or chamber 18 within the outer cylinder12 and out through the aperture 16 disposed near the top of the pipe 12.The water from the aperture 16 (see FIG. .[.2a.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend.) thenflows into a basin or reservoir for reuse with the .[.eductors.]..Iadd.eductor .Iaddend.160.[., 180, and 190.]. for the entrainment ofmore air, and so on. The water is reuseable, and accordingly isrecycled. The only energy input required for the energy amplifierapparatus of the present invention is the energy required to pump thewater from the basin or reservoir (not shown), to which the water flowsfrom the aperture 18 to the .[.three eductors.]. eductor. Gravitysupplies the energy for compressing the air entrained in the fallingwater.

FIG. 4 is a view in partial section of the apparatus of FIG. .[.2a.]..Iadd.2 .Iaddend.taken generally along line 4--4 of FIG. .[.2a.]..Iadd.2.Iaddend.. It comprises a vertical view in partial sectionthrough the inner cylinder 20 above the bulkhead 30. The air transporttubes 40 and 44, with their interior chambers 42 and 46, respectively,are clearly shown. The tubes 40 and 44 are diametrically opposed to eachother and are secured to the outer periphery of the cylinder wall 22 ofthe inner .[.cyinder.]. .Iadd.cylinder .Iaddend.20. The tubes 40 and 44do, as best shown in .[.FIGS. 2a and 2b.]. .Iadd.FIG. 2.Iaddend., extendvertically axially along the cylinder 20.

The bulkhead 30 is shown extending completely across, and appropriatelysecured to, the cylinder walls 22 of the inner cylinder 20. .[.All threedown pipes.]. .Iadd.Down pipe .Iaddend.72.[., 102, and 132 are.]..Iadd.is .Iaddend.shown extending through the bulkhead 30 within thecylinder wall 22. The central portion 76 of the down pipe 72 is showndisposed coaxially with respect to the inner cylinder 20 and to thebulkhead 30.

FIG. 4 is taken lower, with respect to the inner cylinder 20, than isFIG. 3. By comparing FIGS. 3 and 4, it is seen that the central portion76 of the down pipe 72 is disposed beneath the inwardly and downwardlyextending transition portion 74. As shown in FIG. 4, and as also shownin FIG. .[.2a.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend., the lower portion 76 of the down pipe72 is disposed centrally of the cylinder 20 and the bulkhead 30 fordepositing the water and compressed and entrained air on the cone 60 forthe separation of the entrained air from the water flowing downwardlyfrom the pipe 72.

FIG. 5 is a view in partial section of the apparatus of FIG. .[.2a.]..Iadd.2 .Iaddend.taken generally along line 5--5 of FIG. .[.2a.]..Iadd.2.Iaddend.. It comprises a view of the apparatus 10 taken belowthe bulkhead 30 of FIG. .[.2a.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend., at about the bottomor lower termination 78 of the central portion 76 of the down pipe 72,and at the top of the separator cone 60. The apex 62 of the cone 60 isshown centrally disposed with respect to both the separator cone 60 andthe inner cylinder 20, and also with respect to the lower, centralportion 76 of the down pipe 72.

The air transport tubes 40 and 44 are shown substantially the same inFIG. 5 as they appear in FIGS. 3 and 4. .[.The down pipes 22 and 132also appear substantially as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The down pipes 102and 132 extend through, and are sealed to, the separator cone 60..].

The separator cone 60 is shown inside the inner cylinder 60, with theouter periphery 66 of the separator cone 60 spaced apart from theinterior of the wall 22 off the inner cylinder 20. The cone is securedto the cylinder walls 22 by four braces or gussets 68. The braces orgussets 68 are spaced apart about 90 degrees from each other to provideappropriate strength for supporting the separator cone 60. The tube 70,which bleeds air from beneath the cone 60, is shown extending outwardlyand upwardly from the cone adjacent the apex 62.

.[.FIG. 6 is a view in partial section of the apparatus of FIG. 2b takengenerally along line 6--6 of FIG. 2b. It is substantially identical toFIGS. 3, 4, and 5, but taken below FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. It is a view inpartial section through the lower portion of the separator chamber 52slightly above the lower bulkhead 50. The bulkhead 50, like the bulkhead30, is appropriately secured to the inner walls 22 of the cylinder 20.The bulkhead 50 comprises the bottom of the chamber 52 and the top ofthe chamber 82. The air transport tubes 40 and 44, with their chambers42 and 46, respectively, also appear in FIG. 6 as they did in FIGS. 3,4, and 5..].

.[.The down tube or down pipe 132 is shown extending through, and sealedto, the bulkhead 50. The central portion 106 of the down tube 102 isshown disposed coaxially within the inner cylinder 20 and the bulkhead50. Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the distance between where FIGS. 5 and6 are taken shows the inwardly extending portion 104 of the down pipe102 and the central portion 106 which is shown in FIG. 6. The centralportion 106 is secured to the bulkhead 50, and like the down pipe 132,extend through the bulkhead 50 and into the separator chamber 82, asbest shown in FIG. 2b..].

.[.FIG. 7 is a view in partial section of the apparatus of FIG. 2b takengenerally along line 7--7 of FIG. 2b. It comprises a view in partialsection in the separator chamber 82, through the air transport tubes 40and 44, the air cylinder 20, and through the separator cone 90..].

.[.While FIG. 5 comprises a view above a separator or separator cone,FIG. 7 is taken through a separator cone. The separator 90 is shownsupported by four gussets 98 secured to the inner periphery of thecylinder wall 22 of the inner cylinder 20. The down pipe 132 issealingly secured to, and extends through, the separator cone 90. Theouter periphery 96 of the separator 90 is shown spaced apart slightlyfrom the inside or inner periphery of the cylinder walls 22..].

.[.Looking downwardly through the separator cone 90, the inwardlyextending portion 134 of the down pipe 132 is shown extending from thedown pipe 132 to the center of the cylinder 20. This is shown in greaterdetail in FIG. 2b..].

FIG. .[.8.]. .Iadd.6 .Iaddend.is a view in partial section of a portionof the apparatus of FIG. .[.2b.]. .Iadd.2 .Iaddend.taken generally alongline .[.8--8.]. .Iadd.6--6 .Iaddend.of FIG. .[.2b.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend..It comprises a view in partial section through the lower portion ofseparator chamber .[.82.]. .Iadd.52 .Iaddend.above the .[.bulkhead 80.]..Iadd.bottom 26.Iaddend.. .[.As in FIGS. 3 . . . 7, inner cylinder 20 isshown in partial section. The air transport tubes 40 and 44 are shownsecured to the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 20. The bulkhead80.]. .Iadd.Bottom 26.Iaddend., which defines the bottom wall of thechamber .[.82.]. .Iadd.52.Iaddend., is shown sealingly secured to theinner periphery of the cylinder wall 22. .[.The central portion 136 ofthe down pipe 132 extends through the bulkhead 80 and is sealinglysecured thereto..].

.[.The apex 122 of the separator cone 120 is shown through the down pipe132. A portion of the air bleed tube 130 is also shown through the downtube or pipe 132. The tube 130 is best shown in FIG. 2b. It communicateswith the underneath portion 125 of the separator cone 120 to allow airseparated from water in the lower portion of chamber 112 to moveupwardly, into the upper portion of the chamber 112, from beneath theseparator 120..].

Extending through the cylindrical wall 22 adjacent the .[.bulkhead 80.]..Iadd.bottom 26.Iaddend., are a number of ports or apertures .[.88.]..Iadd.118.Iaddend.. The apertures .[.88.]. .Iadd.118 .Iaddend.extendthrough the cylinder wall 22 to allow the water within the separatorchamber .[.82.]. .Iadd.52 .Iaddend.to .[.fllow.]. .Iadd.flow.Iaddend.outwardly into the space 18 (see FIG. .[.2b.]..Iadd.2.Iaddend.) between the inner cylinder 20 and the outer cylinder12. It will be noted that the apertures .[.88.]. .Iadd.118 .Iaddend.arespaced regularly about the cylinder 20 .[.except in the area of the airtransport tubes 40 and 44. No apertures extend through the cylinder wallin the area of the air transport tubes.]. so that the water .[.does notflow into the transport tubes, but rather simply.]. flows through thecylinder 20 and outwardly of the cylinder. Thus, referring again to FIG..[.2b.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend., the water flowing downwardly into the chamber.[.82.]. .Iadd.52 .Iaddend.through the down pipe .[.102.]. .Iadd.72.Iaddend.impinges on the separator cone .[.90.]. .Iadd.60.Iaddend.. Theoutwardly flowing water, with its entrained air, loses most of the airas the water flows over the generally horizontally extending portion.[.94.]. .Iadd.63 .Iaddend.of the separator .[.90.]. .Iadd.60.Iaddend..While the compressed air thus separated from the water moves upwardlyinto the upper portion of the chamber .[.82.]. .Iadd.52 .Iaddend.andoutwardly into the tubes 40 and 44, the water flows downwardly about theouter peripheral edge .[.96.]. .Iadd.66 .Iaddend.of the cone .[.90.]..Iadd.60 .Iaddend.and into the lower or bottom portion of the chamber.[.82.]. .Iadd.52.Iaddend.. The water then flows from the chamber.[.82.]. .Iadd.52 .Iaddend.out of the inner cylinder 20 through theapertures .[.88.]. .Iadd.118.Iaddend.. The rest of the entrained airseparated from the water in the lower portion of the chamber .[.82.]..Iadd.52 .Iaddend.rises to the dome .[.95.]. .Iadd.65 .Iaddend.andescapes upwardly through the tube .[.100.]. .Iadd.70.Iaddend..

.[.The central portion 136 of the down pipe 132 is shown centered overthe final or third stage separator cone 120. The cone 120 is supportedin the cylinder 20 by four gussets or braces 128 which are appropriatelysecured to the bottom or underneath side of the flat portion 124 of thecone 120 and to the inner portion of the wall 22 of the cylinder 20.Spaced apart slightly from the apex 122 of the cone 120 is the tube 130.The tube allows air to bleed from beneath the cone 120, through thecone, and into the upper portion of the chamber 112..].

.[.The entrained air is separated from the water as the water and airflow downwardly through the down tube 136 and onto the top of theseparator 120. Most of the entrained air is separated from the water asthe water flows outwardly over the generally flat or planar portion 124of the separator cone 120. While the water flows downwardly into thebottom portion of the chamber 120 between the outer periphery 126 of theseparator cone 120 and the inner periphery of the cylinder wall 122, theformerly entrained air, compressed and separated from the water, riseswithin the chamber 122 above the cone 120 and flows outwardly throughthe apertures or holes 114 and 116 into the air transport cavities 42and 46, respectively. The apertures 114 and 116 extend through thecylinder wall 22 to provide communication between the upper portion ofthe chamber 112 and the interior cavities or chambers 42 and 46 of theair transport tubes 40 and 44, respectively..].

.[.Each of the three.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.separator .[.chambers, orseparator stages,.]. .Iadd.chamber .Iaddend.includes a pair of aperturessuch as shown in .[.FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 9,.]. .Iadd.FIG. 2 .Iaddend.which.[.communicates.]. .Iadd.communicate .Iaddend.with the air transporttubes from the upper portion of .[.each.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.chamber toallow the compressed and separated air to flow from the upper.[.portions.]. .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.of the separator .[.chambers.]..Iadd.chamber .Iaddend.into the air transport tubes. At the same time,apertures or holes extending through the cylinder wall at the bottom orlower portion of the separator chamber .[.or stages allow.]..Iadd.allows .Iaddend.the water to flow out of the .[.chambers.]..Iadd.chamber .Iaddend.and into the space between the inner and outercylinders. The water flowing out of the separator .[.chambers orstages.]. .Iadd.chamber .Iaddend.rises in the space 18 between the innerand outer cylinders and back to the surface of the ground, as shown bestin FIG. .[.2a.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend..

FIG. .[.10.]. .Iadd.7 .Iaddend.comprises a perspective view of theseparator cone 60. The cone 60 is generally circular in configuration,with a generally pointed central apex 62 extending upwardly above aflat, generally planar portion 64. Between the apex and the flat orplanar portion 64 is a concavely curved portion 63.

The air bleed tube 70 is secured to, and extends through, the cone 60 atthe curved portion 63 adjacent the apex 62. The upper or top mostportion of the tube 70 extends slightly above the apex 62. The relativeheight of the tube and the apex may best be seen in FIG. .[.2a.]..Iadd.2.Iaddend.. The top upper portion of the tube 70 is disposed abovethe apex 62 so that the top of the tube is above the lower portion orbottom 78 of the down tube 72 to prevent water from flowing through thebleed tube. The water, with the entrained air, thus flows through thecentral portion 76 of the down tube 72 onto the separator cone 60. Asthe water flows down the curved portion 63 and out in a generallyhorizontal direction over the flat or planar portion 64 of the separator60, the air separates from the water and rises above the cone 60 whilethe water flows downwardly, past the outer peripheral edge 66 of thecone 60 and into the bottom of the chamber 52. Any air still entrainedin the water as the water moves downwardly past the separator cone riseswithin the chamber 52 and becomes trapped by the dome 65 beneath thecone 60 (see FIG. .[.2a.Iadd.2.Iaddend.). The air, seeking the highestpossible location with respect to the cone 60, moves to the dome 65created beneath the apex 60 and the curved portion 63 of the cone 60where it (the air) flows through the bleed tube 70.

The separator cone 60 is secured to the cylinder 20 by four gussets orbraces 68. As shown in FIG. .[.10.]. .Iadd.7.Iaddend., the braces orgussets 68 are generally triangular in configuration, with the base ofthe triangle spaced apart outwardly a slight distance from theperipheral edge 66 of the cone. The gussets or braces are appropriatelysecured to the bottom side of the flat or planar portion 64 of theseparator cone 60. When in position, as shown in FIG. .[.2a.]..Iadd.2.Iaddend., within the inner cylinder 20, the cone 60 is disposedcoaxially with respect to the cylinder 20, with the apex 62 of the cone60 disposed in the center of the cylinder and also beneath the center ofthe central vertical portion 76 of the down pipe 72. The cone and thedown pipe are thus coaxially disposed with respect to each other andwith respect to the inner and outer cylinders.

The coaxial arrangement of the down .[.pipes.]. .Iadd.pipe .Iaddend.or.[.conduits.]. .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.to the separator .[.cones.]..Iadd.cone .Iaddend.provides for a more uniform distribution or flow ofwater over the .Iadd..[.cones.]. .Iaddend..Iadd.cone.Iaddend.. Such anarrangement also provides maximum efficiency in separating the entrainedair from the water by allowing maximum flow time for the water over theflat portions of the .[.separators.]. .Iadd.separator.Iaddend..

It will be noted, as best shown in .[.FIGS. 2a and 2b.]. .Iadd.FIG.2.Iaddend., that the design of the separator .[.cones.]. .Iadd.cone.Iaddend.allows the water from the down .[.tubes.]. .Iadd.tube.Iaddend.to impinge on the curved portion of .[.each.]. .Iadd.the.Iaddend.cone rather than directly onto the flat portion of the.[.cones.]. .Iadd.cone.Iaddend.. The water then flows outwardly,substantially horizontally, to the outer or peripheral edge of the.[.cones.]. .Iadd.cone.Iaddend..

.[.The energy amplifier apparatus 10 is illustrated and discussed hereinas having three stages of air entrainment and air separation, with thestages disposed adjacent each other in a vertical orientation. Threeeductors are connected to three separators, on a one-for-one basis. Eacheductor is connected to a separate conduit or pipe which extendsvertically downwardly to a separator chamber..]. As indicatedpreviously, each eductor may utilize more than one nozzle, if desired,for increased efficiency of air entrainment. For illustrative purposes,a single nozzle 164 is shown in FIG. .[.2a.]. .Iadd.2 .Iaddend.for theeductor 160. The eductors are spaced apart vertically from the separator.[.stages.]. .Iadd.stage .Iaddend.to provide a vertical fall distancethat will produce or result in the desired amount of compression of theair.

The apparatus of the present invention is relatively compact due to theorientation of .[.each.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.separator stage.[., withthe stages being disposed vertically adjacent each other.].. .[.Each.]..Iadd.The .Iaddend.separator stage includes a chamber, a separator inthe chamber, a conduit or pipe to transport the entrained air and waterto the separator, and different flow paths for the separated air andwater out of the chamber.

Using the force of gravity, the entrained air is compressed by the waterin which it is entrained. After separation, the compressed air flowsupwardly in a pipe or conduit for utilization of its energy, eitheradjacent or remote from the apparatus 10, as desired. The water alsoflows upwardly, between the outer pipe or cylinder 12 and the inner pipeor cylinder 20, to the surface of the ground 2, where it may be reused,if desired.

What is claimed is:
 1. Energy amplifier apparatus, comprising incombination:a flow of water, eductor means for entraining air in theflow of water; first pipe means connected to .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.eductor means for transporting the flow of water and entrainedair from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.eductor means .Iadd.to an outletof said first pipe means.Iaddend.; cylinder means connected to .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.first pipe means for receiving the flow of water andentrained air and spaced apart downwardly from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.eductor means to allow the flow of water to compress theentrained air as the water flows in .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.firstpipe means to .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.cylinder means; separatorchamber means disposed in .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.cylinder meansand into which .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.first pipe means extendsfor receiving the flow of water and the compressed entrained air andhaving a cylinder wall .[.and.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.a first bulkhead and asecond bulkhead.Iadd., said first and second bulkheads being.Iaddend.secured to .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.cylinder wall; conemeans disposed .Iadd.in said separator chamber beneath and.Iaddend.adjacent the .Iadd.outlet of said .Iaddend.first pipe means.[.in the separator chamber means.]. and spaced apart from .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.first bulkhead .[.and the.]..Iadd., said.Iaddend.second bulkhead and .[.from the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.cylinderwall .[.and.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.the water and entrained and compressedair .[.flows.]. .Iadd.flowing .Iaddend.onto .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.cone means for .[.separating.]. .Iadd.separation of.Iaddend.the entrained and compressed air from the water; second pipemeans .Iadd.in fluid communication with said separator chamber at anelevation above said cone means .Iaddend.for transporting the.Iadd.separated and .Iaddend.compressed air from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.cylinder means; .[.and.]. aperture means .Iadd.disposed.Iaddend.in .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.separator chamber means.Iadd.at an elevation below said cone means .Iaddend.through which thewater flows out of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.separator chambermeans.Iadd.; and means for discharging the water flow from said aperturemeans at an elevation below said eductor means and above said separatorchamber means.Iaddend..
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.cylinder means includes a first cylinder and asecond cylinder disposed in .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.first cylinderremote from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.eductor means, and the waterflowing out of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.aperture means flows into.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.first cylinder.
 3. The apparatus of claim2 in which .[.the.]. first pipe means is disposed in .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.first cylinder.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.cylinder wall of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.separator chamber means comprises a portion of .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.second cylinder.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 inwhich .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.second cylinder includes an aircavity for receiving the .Iadd.separated and .Iaddend.compressed airfrom .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.separator chamber means, and.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.second pipe means .[.is connected to.]..Iadd.being in fluid communication with .Iaddend.the air cavity fortransporting the .Iadd.separated and .Iaddend.compressed air from theair cavity.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.cone means includes:a central apex disposed beneath the.Iadd.outlet of said .Iaddend.first pipe means; a curved portionextending downwardly and outwardly from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said central.Iaddend.apex; a flat portion extending outwardly from .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.curved portion; .Iadd.and .Iaddend. a peripheraledge adjacent .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.flat portion and spacedinwardly from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.cylinder wall of .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.second cylinder.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 inwhich .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.cone means further includes.Iadd.:.Iaddend.a dome beneath .[.the.]. .Iadd.said central .Iaddend.apex and.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.curved portion for receiving compressedair not separated from the flow of water by .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.cone means but separated from the flow of water before thewater flows out of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.aperturemeans.[.,.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend.and a pipe extending through .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.cone means communicating with .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.dome and terminating above .[.the.]. .Iadd.said central.Iaddend.apex for bleeding off compressed air from .[.the.]..Iadd.within said .Iaddend.dome.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 in which.[.the.]. .Iadd.said separator .Iaddend.chamber means further includesan air transport tube secured to .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.secondcylinder and communicating with the air cavity for transportingcompressed air from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.separator chamber tothe air cavity.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2 in which .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.second cylinder of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.cylinder means includes an air cavity disposed above .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.separator chamber means for receiving compressed airfrom .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.separator chamber means.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1 in which .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.cylindermeans includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder disposed in.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.first cylinder. .[.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10 in which the separator chamber means comprises a plurality ofseparator chambers disposed in a vertical relationship in the secondcylinder of the cylinder means;the first pipe means comprises aplurality of pipes extending through the first cylinder of the cylindermeans to the separator chamber means, and each pipe of the plurality ofpipes terminates in a different separator chamber, with the number ofpipes being the same as the number of separator chambers; and theeductor means comprises a plurality of eductors, with an eductor foreach pipe of the plurality of pipes..]. .[.12. The apparatus of claim 11in which the second cylinder of the cylinder means includes an aircavity disposed above the separator chambers for receiving compressedair from each separator chamber..]. .[.13. The apparatus of claim 12 inwhich the second cylinder of the cylinder means further includes an airtransport tube communicating with each separator chamber fortransporting compressed air from the separator chambers to the aircavity..]. .[.14. The apparatus of claim 13 in which the cone meansincludes a separator disposed beneath the termination of each pipe ineach separator chamber to receive the flow of water and entrained air ineach separator chamber for separating the entrained and compressed airfrom the flow of water..]. .[.15. The apparatus of claim 14 in which thesecond pipe means comprises a pipe extending through the first cylinderand connected to the air cavity for transporting compressed air from theair cavity..]. .[.16. The apparatus of claim 15 in which the aperturemeans in the separator chamber means comprises a plurality of aperturesin each separator chamber beneath the cone means through which waterflows from each separator chamber of the second cylinder into the firstcylinder..]. .[.17. The apparatus of claim 16 in which the secondcylinder of the cylinder means includes a bulkhead separating eachseparator chamber, and the bulkheads are spaced apart from each other bysubstantially equal distances, and the apertures of the aperture meansin each separator chamber are disposed adjacent the bulkhead at thelower portion of each separator chamber..].
 18. Apparatus forcompressing air by falling water, comprising.[.,.]. in combination:meansfor entraining air in falling water .[.for compressing.]. .Iadd.tocompress .Iaddend.the air; and means for separating the entrained andcompressed air from the falling water, including.Iadd.: .Iaddend.aseparator chamber, having a top wall, a bottom wall, and chamber walls,into which the falling water flows.[.,.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend. a separatorin .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.separator chamber below .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.top wall and above .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.bottom wall and spaced apart from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.chamber walls, for receiving the flow of falling water, havinga generally horizontal portion on which the water flows to separate thecompressed air from the water.[.,.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend. an air chamberdisposed above .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.separator chamber forreceiving the separated and compressed air from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.separator chamber.[.,.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend. means disposed above.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.separator for transporting the separatedand compressed air from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.separator chamber,including an aperture extending through .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.separator chamber and a conduit communicating with .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.aperture and extending to .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.air chamber.[., and.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend. aperture means disposedbelow .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.separator through which the waterflows out of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.separator chamber.Iadd.; and.Iaddend. means for discharging the water flow from said aperture meansat an elevation below said entraining means and above said separatorchamber. The apparatus of claim 18 in which the means for entraining airin falling water includes pipe means extending to .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.separator chamber through which the water and entrained airfalls.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 in which the means for entrainingair in falling water further includes eductor means secured to .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.pipe means through which the water falls.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 20 in which .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.eductormeans and the means for separating the entrained and compressed air arespaced apart vertically from each other. .[.22. The apparatus of claim21 in which the eductor means further comprises a plurality of eductors,and the means for separating the entrained and compressed air from thefalling waters comprises a plurality of separator chambers disposedvertically adjacent each other and connected to the plurality ofeductors, with an eductor for each chamber..]. .Iadd.23. The apparatusof claim 1 in which said cone means includes:a central apex disposedbeneath the outlet of said first pipe means; a curved portion extendingdownwardly and outwardly from said central apex; a flat portionextending outwardly from said curved portion; and a peripheral edgeadjacent said flat portion and spaced inwardly from said cylinder wallof said second cylinder. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The apparatus of claim 23in which said cone means further includes: a dome beneath said centralapex and said curved portion for receiving compressed air not separatedfrom the flow of water by said cone means but separated from the flow ofwater before the water flows out of said aperture means; and a pipeextending through said cone means communicating with said dome andterminating above said central apex for bleeding off compressed air fromwithin said dome. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The apparatus of claim 24 in whichsaid separator chamber means further includes an air transport tubesecured to said second cylinder and communicating with the air cavityfor transporting compressed air from said separator chamber to the aircavity. .Iaddend.